Ordinance Enforcement

1. The answer depends on where your property is located within the Township. If your property is located within the “No Discharge of Firearms” area map of the Township, you may NOT discharge a firearm.

If your property is OUTSIDE of the “No Discharge of Firearms” area map of the Township, you may target practice with a firearm on your property, only when abiding by State of Michigan Firearm Laws and Township Noise Ordinance.

A: It depends on where you live in the Township. If your property is OUTSIDE of the “No Discharge of Firearms” area map of the Township, you may hunt with a firearm on your property, abiding by State of Michigan Firearm Laws,  MI State Law Act 451 of 1994 MCL 324.40111 and Township Noise Ordinance.

Yes. According to Township Ordinance Gen. Ord. No. 599, Part 212.000, blight is defined as any “junk” or “litter” detrimental to the health, safety, or welfare of Township residents. Any blight is considered unlawful use of a property and may result in a violation if not removed. For a more board definition of blight please see Gen. Ord. No 599, 212.03.

Yes. Any inoperable or unlicensed vehicle that remains on a private property not zoned for such use, including someone’s driveway, for no more than consecutive 14 days is a violation. For more information, please see Gen. Ord. No. 599, Part 212.000, Blight Elimination Ordinance.

Ten (10) inches. For the purposes of this ordinance, “lawn” means ground (as around a house) covered with short turf grasses and other plants that is traditionally cut or mowed. For more information, please see Gen. Ord. No. 595, Part 211.007, Lawn Maintenance. Sec. VII. A.

A: Yes. However, recreational fires, such as a campfire, shall not be within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material unless contained in a barbecue pit or charcoal/gas grills or outdoor fireplace. For more information, please see Gen. Ord. No. 324, BURNING ORDINANCE, Section VI, 256.060.

Yes. A permit can be obtained by calling the Oshtemo Township Fire Department at 269-375-0487 or by filling out an application online (Online Burning Permit App). For more information on safety requirements, please see Gen. Ord. No. 324, Burning Ordinance, Section V, 256.050 – Open Burning.

Consumer fireworks may be used in Oshtemo Charter Township on the following days beginning at 11 a.m. and ending as set forth in Gen. Ord. No. 613, Fireworks Ordinance, Section V, 219.005 – Consumer Fireworks.  (See complete Fireworks Ordinance.)

Maybe. This is determined on a case-by-case bases depending on several factors. Animals that make noise for more than 60 minutes which clearly disturbs the quiet and comfort of nearby property owners is considered a violation. Investigation is necessary to determine if the noise meets standards for a nuisance. For more information, please see General Ord. No. 176, Part 214.003 – Anti-noise regulations. Sec. III. B Specific violations. 4.

No, unless the truck is running materials delivery/pick-up directly to and/or from a specific address, provided the most direct route to and from a designated truck route is utilized.  For more information, please see Gen. Ord. No. 478, Part 153.000 – TRUCK ROUTE ORDINANCE.

The Road Commission of Kalamazoo County (RCKC) sets speed limits. They do so based on Michigan State Police standards for setting speed limits. One of the data factors used is the 85th percentile of the speeds that vehicles are recorded being driven. RCKC conducts traffic studies to collect data necessary to set the most appropriate speed limit.  For more information check out RCKC’s brochure.

The Township does not have a street parking ordinance, however, provisions of the Michigan Vehicle Code may be applicable: Michigan Vehicle Code Act 300 of 1949, Sec. 257.676 b (2).

Yes, but only temporarily. A recreational vehicle may be parked on a property for a period of not more than 14 days in any one year and only when located on a premise that has water and sewage facilities. RV’s cannot be parked on the street. For more information, please see Zoning Ordinance Article 57, 57.30 A.

Up to three (3) dogs are allowed on platted properties. Up to nine (9) dogs are permitted on un-platted properties, unless they become a nuisance by reason of odors or noise. See Zoning Ordinance Article 57, 57.70 Keeping of Dogs.

It depends on the type of property in question. See Zoning Ordinance Article 57, 57.80 Keeping of Livestock and Honeybees. For more information, please contact the Oshtemo Township Planning Department, (269) 216-5223.

Between 7:00am and 7:00pm, when an occupied residential property is within 1,000 feet of the active construction area. For more detailed information, please see General Ord. No. 176, Part 214, Anti-Noise Ordinance, 214.003 – Anti-noise regulations. Sec. III. B. 8.   

Contact RCKC or County Drain Commissioner’s Office.   

Soliciting door-to-door is only allowed to those who have received a license from the Township. Please see Gen. Ord. No. 156, Part 122.000 – Hawkers, Peddlers, and Solicitors.

It depends on the Zoning district, type of business and if it is allowed under Zoning Ordinance Article 48.60 Home Occupation and other applicable ordinance. For specific information, contact the Oshtemo Township Planning Department, (269) 216-5223.

In “AG”, “RR”, “R-C”, “R-1”, “R-2”, and “R-3” Zoning Districts, fences are limited to a maximum height of four (4) feet within the required front building setback area except as stated in Section 57.60.B.2. The maximum fence height in the side or rear yard shall be six (6) feet as measured from the grade on both sides of the fence. See Zoning Ordinance Article 57, 57.60 Fences

Most residential fences do not require a permit. See Zoning Ordinance Article 57, 57.60 Fences

No, property line location is determined by locating the property stakes/pins which may require the services of a private state-licensed surveyor. Township staff cannot make this determination.